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On Nov. 5, 2017, daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m., causing clocks to roll back one hour. An extra hour of sleep is a welcome relief for many Americans, but a study shows that it can come with a price. Although most people will wake up to a little more sunlight, their commutes to and from work may be a little more dangerous.

Experts believe that the rise in accidents is linked to less daylight in the evening hours, especially on the Monday following the time change. By the time daylight saving time ends, days are already getting shorter. And with the clocks shifting back one hour, darkness comes much earlier, which can result in many dangerous circumstances and behaviors in drivers.

In addition to poor visibility, the earlier sunset also requires drivers to adjust to changing light conditions, which can lead to accident-causing behaviors. Those behaviors can include speeding or simply being less attentive to other vehicles on the road. Another potential factor is an increased consumption of alcohol, as some people may feel stressed by the time change and drink more than usual.

At Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough, our Dallas car accident lawyers know that the causes of crashes can change from accident to accident. We’re dedicated to helping injured auto accident victims get the compensation they deserve for their medical bills and lost wages, and we know how to build strong claims that get results. Call today for a free consultation.

Many over-the-counter and prescription medications have warnings that caution patients against getting behind the wheel after taking them, as certain side effects can make it difficult to drive safely.

However, countless drivers across the country drive while under the influence of powerful medications everyday, putting them, their passengers, and other motorists at risk of being involved in serious accidents.

At Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough, we know that many medications can cause potentially dangerous side effects, complications, and injuries. But we also know that they can put patients’ lives at risk when their directions aren’t properly followed.

Many types of medications can cause the following side effects, which can increase the risk of car accidents:

Drowsiness – Medications that induce drowsiness can cause drivers to lose focus and concentration on the task at hand. They may even nod off or fall asleep while driving.

Dizziness – Some medications cause dizziness, which can impair coordination and motor skills. Drivers who experience this side effect may have difficulty steering their vehicles, causing them to swerve into other lanes or off the road.

Medication-induced car accidents are a growing problem in the U.S., especially due to the large number of drivers who get behind the wheel after consuming powerful over-the-counter and prescription drugs. If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash, our Dallas car accident lawyers know how to investigate and fight for clients’ rights to compensation. Call today for a free consultation.

Unfortunately, car wrecks happen all the time. Insurance companies are in business solely to earn a profit, from the money you pay to them in insurance premiums and from their investments. They will try to do everything in their power to pay as little on your claim as possible.

Here are a few important things to consider when you are involved in a wreck:

Call the police to investigate. Obviously, if you are injured, get medical attention immediately. However, if you are able to remain at the scene, it is always better to wait for the police and make sure they create a report of the incident. The insurance company will do everything it can to try to blame you for the accident if that can help it avoid liability. A police report may not be conclusive, but it could be strong evidence in your favor. If you are physically able to do so without harming yourself, try to get statements from witnesses as well as names and contact information.

Get photos of the scene including skid marks, damage to the vehicles, where the vehicles stopped after the crash, the intersection or scene, perhaps, even, the parties involved. Take a picture of their driver’s license and insurance card.

Do not admit the wreck was your fault. Do not lie, either, because that will only make your case worse – and could subject you to criminal penalties. Negligence, or “tort,” law can be more complicated than it seems. Talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer about your rights.

Don’t trust the adjuster. The adjuster works for the insurance company. While he or she may seem like a nice person who wants to help, his/her ultimate loyalty is to ensure the insurance company pays you as little money as possible.

Assume all your communications with the insurance adjuster will be recorded, but never verbally consent to a recorded statement without a lawyer present. What you say can, and will, be used against you by the insurance company. In general, other than timely reporting the accident to the insurance company, it is always best to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer and have the lawyer negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

If you receive follow-up medical treatment, follow the doctor’s advice. Get whatever medical treatment you need to get you back to as good of a medical recovery as possible.

The payment arrangement is one of the most important factors to consider when hiring an attorney. You want a law firm with vast experience and exceptional customer service, but you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it. That’s understandable. You’ve been through a traumatic ordeal and just want someone who’s going to have your back without emptying your pockets at the same time.

Here are 3 things related to fee arrangements you should ask any attorney you’re considering:

Do you charge for the initial consultation? Believe it or not, some firms will charge you by the hour simply to answer some initial questions. This is a red flag right from the start and could indicate additional unexpected fees later on. If a law firm you call mentions consultation fees, you might want to consider calling someone else.

Will you advance the costs for investigators, experts, filing fees, and other expenses? The cost of a personal injury case can be expensive. You want a law firm that is going to cover these necessary costs upfront, so you don’t have any out-of-pocket expenses until your case is settled and you’ve been paid. Some law firms will even help with your medical bills, which can take a great deal of financial strain off of you and your family.

Do you offer a contingency fee arrangement? A contingency fee arrangement basically means the law firm will handle all upfront costs, including attorney fees, until they win or settle your case. If for whatever reason they fail to get you money, you don’t owe them a dime. If you’re going to have your case handled by an attorney, you need to have a contingency fee arrangement.

One of the most important components of a personal injury claim is the investigation your lawyer will conduct on your behalf. The backbone of your case rests on the results of this investigation, so if it is not done properly or to the full extent necessary, it could negatively impact the outcome of your case.

At Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough, we have a dedicated team of investigators who thoroughly investigate every case we handle. Here are the steps that our team will take on your behalf:

Analyze the accident report—There’s a wealth of information collected at the scene of every accident. The reporting officer is required to document what happened, how it happened, and who was involved. Our investigators will scour this report to extract all pertinent information that could help your case.

Examine the accident scene—One of the first things we will do in our investigation is visit the scene of the accident to gather any and all evidence available. The sooner you call us for help, the more evidence will remain for our investigators to document.

Gather witness testimonies—The basic facts of the case, such as who was at fault and how the accident occurred, are extremely important in proving negligence and liability. We’ll speak with every witness to verify these facts, so that they cannot be contested in court.

Review medical documentation related to your injuries—If you’ve been injured, you may have a long road of recovery ahead. Our investigators will closely track your progress in order to make an accurate and fair assessment of your case’s worth.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you deserve an experienced Dallas law firm on your side that will fully investigate your case and defend your right to compensation.

There are hundreds of thousands hit-and-run accidents every year. Many of these result in serious injuries and/or deaths. However, the vast majority of hit-and-run accidents are less serious. As these types of accidents increase, it’s important to know what to do if are ever a victim of a hit-and-run.

Here are 3 things you should do:

Get a license plate number of the other driver. Any information you can retain immediately following your accident can help bring the at-fault driver to justice. If you’re unable to get a license plate number, try to remember the make, model, and color of the other vehicle.

Call the police immediately. When they arrive, give the officer all the facts of the case, being sure to leave nothing out. And be sure to complete an accident report. This will serve as the official account of what happened.

Call your insurance company and report the accident. Depending on your coverage, your insurance company may be able to help you make arrangements to have your car towed and secure a rental car.

3 things you shouldn’t do:

Do not pursue or confront the other driver. If you’re in a hit-and-run accident, it’s natural to want to pursue the at-fault driver. Bad idea. As soon as you leave the scene of the accident, you put yourself and your claim at risk. Stay where you are and wait for the police.

Do not block traffic. If you can safely pull your vehicle to the side of the road, do so. Blocking traffic unnecessarily puts you and other drivers at risk.

Do not wait in your car if it’s unsafe. It could take several minutes for the police to arrive at the scene. If you believe waiting in your car puts you in danger, leave the vehicle and wait somewhere safe.

If you’ve been the victim of a hit and run accident, call our Dallas car accident attorneys immediately. We’ll investigate the circumstances behind your accident and work to hold those accountable responsible for your injuries. Get your free consultation today.

Choosing a personal injury lawyer to handle your claim can be overwhelming. Do a simple Google search for personal injury lawyers in Dallas, and you’ll get pages of results. In truth, many of these law firms could handle your case without incident. That is to say, they could file all the paperwork and get you a settlement for your injuries. So what’s the most important factor to consider when choosing an attorney?

Many attorneys out there would probably answer that question with one word: experience. There’s simply nothing more important than having an attorney on your side with years of experience handling personal injury claims.

Here are a few reasons why:

No two cases are alike. When it comes to auto accident injury cases, the circumstances of the accident, the injuries sustained, the insurance company’s response are factors that are unique to every case. A successful law firm draws from years of experience to build the strongest case possible.

Relationships are important. Attorneys for the injured interact with a number of different players throughout the course of the lawsuit, such as judges, clerks, and other attorneys. You want a law firm on your side that has built strong relationships over the years.

Insurance companies keep track. Just as you are researching attorneys in the Dallas area, so are the insurance companies. They keep track of which law firms settle low and which ones fight for their clients. You want an attorney with a proven track record of standing up to the insurance company and winning big.

In determining which lawyer is the right for you, consider experience first. It is the one factor that really matters, and it can make all the difference.

A Dallas Car Accident that occurred last week was responsible for claiming the lives of two motorists. Reports indicate the incident occurred at approximately 6 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, along the I-35 access road near Continental Avenue.

According to CBS-DFW News, the green SUV involved in the crash was approaching the exit ramp from I-35 when the vehicle’s tire blew out. The loss of air pressure caused the driver of the SUV to lose control and the vehicle began to veer off the road. The driver was unable to steer the SUV back onto the road and crashed through a stop sign before colliding with a large pole.

The impact of the crash forced three of the passengers, who were each properly restrained with a seat belt, to be ejected from the vehicle. The SUV then crossed the median and several lanes of traffic before coming to a halt along a sidewalk.

Two of the ejected passengers were declared dead at the scene, while paramedics rushed the driver and third passenger to a local hospital for treatment.

While faulty equipment on the vehicle may be to blame for the accident, others point to faulty highway designs as a potential contributing factor to the crash as well.

The Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers with Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough would like to send their deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic accident.

A Dallas Motorcycle Accident that occurred several weeks ago was responsible for claiming the life of a woman. Reports indicate the crash occurred on Sunday, April 28, at approximately 10:00 p.m., along I-20 in southwest Dallas County.

According to CBS-DFW News, the woman was part of a group of motorcyclists who were riding along the highway. When the group began to slow for traffic, a car that was behind the bikes failed to come to a halt and plowed into the rear end of the victim’s bike. Rescue crews were called to the scene, but the victim died before she could be transported for treatment.

The accident highlights the need for motorists to be more aware of motorcycles as the weather begins to warm across Texas. Studies have shown that one of the most common reasons given by motorists who strike motorcycles is that they simply did not see the bike. This is why it is so vital that an individual focus their attention on the road at all times when driving. Also, motorists should always look twice in both directions before entering traffic at intersections. Another great way for motorcyclists to protect themselves is to always wear a DOT-approved helmet.

The Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers with Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough recognize the dangers motorcyclists face each time they ride. That’s why the firm hopes these tips will be successful in helping to prevent such accidents in the future.

As the weather begins to warm across Texas, state officials say there will be a growing number of construction projects breaking ground along the state’s highways. Unfortunately, experts believe the higher volume of highway construction projects will be accompanied by a greater number of Texas Car Accidents.

An article from CBS-DFW explains that a total of 134 people died as the result of construction zone accidents last year. The number could potentially be even higher this year considering more than two dozen projects are scheduled to begin soon along I-35 alone.

To help combat accidents caused by careless motorists, the National Transportation Safety Administration has named this week Construction Zone Safety Awareness Week. The program hopes to educate motorists on the importance of focusing all of their attention on the road when driving. This means putting cellphones down, obeying posted speed limits, and not following other vehicles too closely.

Motorists can expect to see law enforcement closely observing vehicles for infractions of this nature in the coming weeks. They can also expect to be stopped and reprimanded if caught committing a violation.

Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough and their team of Dallas Personal Injury Attorneys applaud the efforts being made to improve safety for motorists and workers alike along Texas’ highways, especially in construction zones. The firm is hopeful these efforts will be effective in preventing accidents from occurring.